SO, WHY NUMERICAL GROWTH?
Why should we be concerned about numbers?
There are seven main reasons:
The Command of Scripture
The Cost of a Soul
The Caution of Scripture
The Compassion of the Saviour
The Call to Sinners
The Conviction of the Saints
The Crown of the Soul-winner
1. THE COMMAND OF SCRIPTURE
In Matthew 28:19 we are introduced to the Great Commission - To go into all the world...to make disciples of all nations...
See also John 3:16
God has a great love for the world. He wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
We HAVE TO focus on numerical growth...on discipleship-making IN OBEDIENCE to our Lord and Saviour...our Commander-in-Chief.
If we call Him Lord, then we should do what He commands.
we must be concerned about numerical growth because of The Command of Scripture, but also because of
2. THE COST OF A SOUL
Mark 8:36 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
- The soul of a person is precious to God.
- Silver and gold, Peter tells us, did not and cannot pay for your souls.
- Worldly wealth cannot be exchanged for the value of a soul.
- The only thing that can purchase a soul is the Blood of Jesus Christ
- When he went to calvary he was exchanging his blood for your soul
So Numbers are important to God because
- They represent individuals
- They are made up of precious souls
- They include people in your family…your children…your spouse...your neighbours…
- They are important to God
3. THE CAUTION OF SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sins will surely die
Adam and Eve sinned and plunged the world into darkness
As a result, We are born into darkness...with darkness in our hearts
- We do not seek God
- We do not love God
- Instead, We seek to satisfy only ourself
- We love only ourselves
The Bible says: We are dead in our sin and trespasses (Eph. 2:1-2)
- We are Shut off from God
- We are Separated from Him
Rom 3:23 says: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
- As a result we are lost and without hope in this world
- We cannot save ourselves
- We need a Saviour
- Our good works cannot save us
- And the goodness of your family members and friends cannot save them
- They need a Saviour
- They need two surrender to Jesus
- They need to put their trust in his death and resurrection
In Rev 20:15 we read these sobering words: Whosever name was not written in the Lambs Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.
In Luke 13:3 Jesus said: Unless you repent you will all likewise perish
Paul gives a very strong warning in 1 Cor 6:9-10
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Jesus said (Matt 7:13-14) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
We have to warn our family…our friends…our colleagues.
We have to bring them to church.
We have to share the gospel with them.
We have to pray they become a part of God's Temple, His people.
We HAVE TO BE concerned about numerical growth - because of the Command, and because of That Caution, but also because of...
4. THE COMPASSION OF THE SAVIOUR
Jesus knows that every person will give an account for the way they lived
He said that we will have to give an account for every idle word
We will be judged
The world will be judged
Every person will have to give an account for how they lived, what they said, and how they walked
Jesus knows that we will be facing an impartial but Holy Judge
He know that the consequences of standing before Him with sin are eternally grave
He knows that a Righteous Judge has to punish sin
He has to deal with sinners
So Jesus offered himself
Philippians 2 says He emptied himself of his glory…made himself of no reputation… became like us....took on the form of a servant… and was obedient unto death
He came to die for sinners
He came to die for us
He came to die for this community in which we live
He did not come….to live an Holy life....die a cruel death...rise on the third day SIMPLY TO PROVE THAT HE COULD DO IT
No!
He was on a Search and Rescue mission
In his own words: I came to seek and to save them that are lost (Luke 19:10)
His blood...his tears...his life…was giving so that sinners could be saved.
We must tell the world.
We must bid them come!
The bible says of Christ in Hebrews 7:25 (that) He can completely save those who come to him for he ever makes intercession on their behalf
- He offers himself
- He offers his life
- He offers to be your saviour....your High priest ...and your Advocate
Fifthly we must be concerned about numerical growth because of
5. THE CALL TO SINNERS
Mathew 28:11 Come unto me all who are weary…I will give you rest.
Come while you can...
Come while the door is still open...
Come before it is too late....
Isaiah 1:18 says: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 55:6 says: Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no other name, for there is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved but by the name of Jesus.
Some trust in their own righteousness
Some trust in their own philosophy
Some trust in another way...in New Age… and so on
But Jesus said: I am the way…no man comes to the Father but by me.
Jesus either lied or told the truth.
Each person must decide what they will do with Jesus.
We we tell people about Christ, God is making His call to them through us!
We MUST be concerned about numbers!
Another reason we must be concerned about numbers is because of
6. THE CONVICTION OF THE SAINTS
Bible believing Christians are persuaded of the truth of God's Word
We believe
- That people are lost. So we do what we can to bring them home.
- That Christ is the way. So we proclaim Him!
- That the gospel is the power that liberates the lost.So we preach the gospel to our friends and family.
We believe that jesus is the ONY way.
- So, We are not ashamed of Christ
- Matthew 10:32 says: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
- Luke 9 26 says: Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
We believe in the power of His word
- We are not ashamed of his Word
- Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes
- We believe that God's word can save and transform anybody!
There are two very important Greek words associated with the gospel
1. Tetelesti
2. Evangelion
A. TETELESTI
This is what Jesus said just before he died on the cross!
It means it is finished...it is utterly and totally complete.
He could have been referring to a number of things. I'll give you THREE:
1. He could have been declaring that THE PROPHECIES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. Every last one of them.
The last being Psalm 69:2, “They gave me also gall for my meat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
2. He could have been declaring that His suffering was over. He would die, and three days later arise with a glorified body!
3. Or he could have been saying: the price is paid in full.
- The word tetelestai was written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show that a bill had been paid in full.
- Jesus has paid the full price for your sin and mine
B. EVANGELION
It means Good News
It referred to a message that brought joy
Technically, it was also used as a Message of victory
When a battle had been won, a messenger was sent back to declare the evangelion, the good news.
This is what Christ has sent us to declare (Matthew 28:19)
- We must declare the Good News
- We are to tell the world what Christ has done
- We are to tell them the price (of death) for their sin has been paid in full
- We must tell them their adversary that had ensnared them is defeated
- The power of sin that has enslaved them is broken
- That they can have freedom
- That they can have a new life
- That they can have eternal life
Lastly, the reason we should be concerned about numerical growth and numbers is because of…
7. THE CROWN OF THE SOUL-WINNER
Proverbs 11:30 says: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
- There is a special recognition of the Soul-winner!
- A wise person wins souls
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
- Notice that Soul Winners will shine as the brightness of the stars in Heaven.
- Stars stand out in the night sky.
- Soul Winners will be the celebrities in Heaven.
- In this sinful world those who are evil are idolised by the masses
- But not so in Heaven.
Speaking of the end of days: Daniel 12:2-3 says, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
- The Bible says if we are wise we will shine as the firmament.
- Those who turn many to Christ and the righteousness he gives will shine as the stars.
- They will be the superstars in Heaven, beloved by their converts.
1 Corinthians 15:40-44, “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
- The word “glory” in the holy Bible literally means “to shine,” as the glory of the sun, moon or stars.
- Just as the sun, moon and stars vary in glory (brightness), so also will the resurrected saints differ in their amount of glory.
- Some believers will rule over 10 cities, others over 5 and some over none.
- Some saints will shine with glory as the stars, others like a dim lightbulb, and some not at all.
- It is not a competition but an encouragement - in this context, to be concerned about souls, about numbers, and about church growth.
To those who faithfully lead souls to Jesus, there is a reward, a crown.
- This crown has also been named the soul winner’s crown.
- Telling others about the grace of God, telling others about Jesus, is the greatest thing that you can do for someone while here on this earth.
- When you help someone to be led to the Lord, you have just been used as a vessel of God.
- God will judge you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others, not necessarily on how many actually get saved, because we are to sow and/or water and He gives the increase.
- “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 KJV
How can people practically support the vision of the church to grow numerically?
1. Share Christ with others...spread the net.
- Not everyone that hears will believe, and not everyone that believes will join your church, but tell them the goodness anyway.
- The most important thing is that they put their faith in Christ. If they join YOUR church that's a bonus.
2. Live right.
- You are the greatest advert for Christ and for your church. You can either attract or discourage people from doing to Christ or joining your church.
- You are its greatest human resource
- You are a Living epistle.
- Your testimony is valuable.
- Your healing is inspirational.
- Your devotion to Christ is attractive.
- Your witness of Christ is crucial.
3. Pray for your loved ones
- Make time to pray specifically for your loved ones and their salvation
- Keep a special, consistent time for praying for their salvation
- Make the sacrifice
4. Invite people to church...home groups etc
- Be sensitive when we are making alter calls...pray...intercede....be still
5. Take opportunities to ask people to say a prayer of faith and surrender, when the time is right, and when the opportunity presents itself
6. Be committed to church life.
New converts will know attending church is important if they see YOUR COMMITMENT.
7. Be committed to serve
- Make your the best social and spiritual experience people have ever had
8. Protect the unity of the church
Sometimes churches grow only to be diminished by some insensitive, selfish act for someone not supporting the vision
- Get rid of gossip....slander….insensitivity
- Be accountability to your church leaders so that can take proper care of you, so you can take proper care of others, who can do the same.
